HLabs Audio EQ169+

HLabs Audio EQ169+ is a mono mastering equaliser in a 1U chassis, based on the Studer 169 circuit topology and extended with a high-pass filter, three gain-range modes and output level trim. Every knob sits on a stepped switch. A setting you can reproduce, including across a pair A mastering EQ without stepped controls is not usable in stereo: two units set by eye are never identical, and half a decibel of difference in one band shifts the image. The EQ169+ puts an eleven-position switch behind every knob, and gain matching between units is ±0.1 dB. A setting can be recalled a week later, on a different session, and on the second unit of a pair. Three gain modes instead of three different equalisers The same circuit faces different demands when tracking, on a bus and in mastering. Standard mode gives ±12 dB on the Presence band and ±15 dB on the shelves; Hybrid mode limits the shelves to ±5 dB; Mastering mode brings everything to ±5 dB — the resolution at which one click of the knob is an actual decision rather than a leap across half the band. The high-pass filter uses a low-resonance design with ten tuned frequencies from 12 to 160 Hz plus a bypass position. KEY FEATURES Mono mastering equaliser in a 1U chassis Topology based on the Studer 169 console circuit All controls on eleven-position stepped switches Three gain-range modes: Standard, Hybrid and Mastering Low-resonance high-pass filter, 10 frequencies plus bypass High shelf switchable between 20 kHz and 35 kHz Two Presence filters, 22 frequencies in total from 150 to 7000 Hz Low shelf switchable between 20 Hz and 60 Hz Output gain trim of ±3 dB in 0.5 dB steps Transformerless input and output, relay-operated bypass Gain matching between units of ±0.1 dB TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS High-pass filter: 12; 16.4; 20.6; 25.0; 30.9; 42; 55; 78; 110; 160 Hz plus bypass High shelf: 20 kHz or 35 kHz Presence filters: 22 values from 150 to 7000 Hz, Q ≈ 1.0 Low shelf: 20 Hz or 60 Hz Standard mode: ±12 dB on Presence, ±15 dB on shelves Hybrid mode: ±12 dB on Presence, ±5 dB on shelves Mastering mode: ±5 dB on Presence and on shelves Maximum input and output level: +22 dBu Input impedance: 48 kΩ; output impedance: 50 Ω THD: 0.005% at 0 dBu, S/N above 108 dB Frequency response (1 kΩ): ±0.1 dB from 5.4 Hz to 25+ kHz Chassis: 19-inch rack, 1U